Belt buckle construction having integral strap cutting means



May 8, 1968 R. SOKOLOFF 3,384,936

BELT BUCKLE CONSTRUCTION HAVING INTEGRAL STRAP CUTTING MEANS Filed Nov. 5, 1965 United States Patent M 3,384,936 BELT BUCKLE CONSTRUCTION HAVING INTEGRAL STRAP CUTTING MEANS Raymond Sokoloff, 670 Broadway, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11206 Filed Nov. 5, 1965, Ser. No. 506,500 2 Claims. (Cl. 24-191) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A belt buckle for use with a leather or similar strap of a type adapted to clamp one end of the strap between a pair of pivotally interconnected elements, in which the elements include integral strap cutting means, whereby the length of the belt may be adjusted upon opening the elements, and simultaneously cut and lock upon closing the same on an end of a belt strap.

This invention relates generally to the field of belt buckles, and more particularly to a belt buckle construction having means integrally formed therewith for shortening a length of belt to a required dimension.

As is well known in the art, it is necessary for a clothing sales outlet to stock belts, not only in a variety of colors, finishes and the like, but also in a substantial number of different lengths of belt, usually differing from each other in length by 2" intervals. Thus, for each given style and color, it might be necessary to stock belts of 28", 30", 32", 34", and 36 lengths. This requirement makes necessary the stocking of a far larger number of individual belts than would be the case where only a single size requirement must be met.

It is therefore among the principal objects of the present invention to provide an improved belt buckle construction incorporating means for shortening the belt portion of an integrated belt and buckle, wherein only the largest size of belt need be carried in stock, the remaining sizes being obtained by cutting unwanted segments of the belt portion as required.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved belt buckle construction in which the incorporated cutting means is substantially concealed within the buckle construction, whereby the same may be completely concealed from view, and offer no sharpened edges which might injure the wearer or damage his clothing.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved belt buckle construction of the class described, and possessed of the above advantages, in which the cost of fabrication may be of a reasonably low order, thereby permitting consequent wide sale, distribution and use.

Yet another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved belt buckle construction incorporating belt cutting means which may be conveniently manipulated by the user without resort to special skills, and using only ordinary, if any, tools.

A feature of the disclosed embodiment lies in the fact that the buckle may incorporate almost any desired ornamental aspects, and may include provisions for changing the exposed portions thereof.

These objects and features, as well as other incidental ends and advantages, will more fully appear in the progress of the following disclosure, and be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing, to which refreence will be made in the specification, similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIGURE 1 is a view in elevation of an embodiment of the invention.

3,384,936 Patented May 28, 1968 FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal sectional view as seen from the plane 22 in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view corresponding to that seen in FIGURE 2, but showing the cutting means in fully opened condition.

FIGURE 4 is a similar sectional -view showing the shearing action of the cutting means.

In accordance with the invention, the device, generally indicated by reference character 10 includes a conventional leather, plastic or web belt portion 11, a first or inner buckle element 12, a second or outer buckle element 13, cooperating cutting means 14, and a third or free end engaging buckle element 15.

The first or inner buckle element 12 is preferably formed as a metallic stamping from a unitary blank of material, and includes a base member 17 having a first or inner surface 18 and a second or outer surface 19. A transversely disposed lip 20 extends slightly inwardly from the plane of the base member 17 and is bounded by an end edge 21. At an opposite end of the base member 17 is a bifurcated portion 22 forming first and second hook members 23 and 24, respectively. The hook imembrs 23 24 define a slot 25 therebetween as well as a recess 26 for engagement of the element 15 in detachable manner.

Extending at right angles from the plane of the base member 17 are first and second side flange members 28 and 29, each including a first projection 30 having an orifice 31 for the purpose of pivotally engaging the second buckle element 13, and a resilient projection 32 for the purpose of forming a locking detent for maintaining the first and second elements 12-13 in relatively .closed condition.

The second or outer buckle element 13 is also preferably formed as a metallic stamping, and includes a base member 35 bounded by first and second surfaces 36 and 37, respectively as well as side edges 38 and 39. Adjacent one end of the edges 38-39 are corresponding p-rojections 40 adapted to engage the projections 32.

The base member 35 includes a bifurcated portion 42 forming curved fingers 43 and 44 adapted to overlie the free ends of the hook members 23 and 24, respectively. Extending at an angle with respect to the plane of the base member 35 from an end edge 45 is a toothed flange 46, the teeth 47 of which are adapted to engage the flat adjacent surface of the belt portion 11.

The cutting means 14 includes a first blade member 49 on the element 12 and second blade member 50 on the element 13. The cutting edges 51 and 52 are preferably disposed in mutually non-parallel relation, so that during engagement the shearing action obtained is progressive from one end of the blades to the other, in the manner obtained when using a shears.

Cutting the belt portion 11 to proper length requires only a placing of the belt about the wearer to determine the correct length, excess belting being pulled in a rightward direction as seen in FIGURE 1 to position the cutting line beneath the means 14. This is accomplished when the parts are in the relative position shown in FIGURE 2. Next the buckle elements 12 and 13 are moved together as shown in FIGURE 3, wherein a pivoting action takes place about an axis through the projections 55 disposed in the orifices 31, wherein the cutting edges 51 and 52 bear against opposite surfaces of the belt portion 11, and progressively cut through the same. The elements 12 and 13 may then be moved mutually apart, if necessary, to permit the sheared portion of the belt to be removed, and again closed to enable the flange 46 to engage the end of the remaining part of the belt portion 11 and wedge the same against the lip 20.

I wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention limited to the precise details of structure shown and set forth in this specification, for obvious modifica- 3 tions will occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

I claim:

1. In a belt buckle construction of a type including first and second buckle elements, means interconnecting said elements for relative pivotal movement between open and closed positions, and gripping means on at least one of said elements co-operating with the other of said elements for positively gripping a planar belt segment therebetween upon moving said buckle elements to closed position, one of said buckle elements having means for engaging an opposite end of said belt segment, the improvement comprising: cooperative shearing means on an inner surface Of each of said first and second buckle elements, serving to shear a segment of belt disposed therebetween with the moving of said first and second buckle elements to closed position.

2. Structure in accordance with claim 1 in which said shearing means includes first and second blades having cutting edges which are in mutual non-parallel relation.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS BOBBY R. GAY, Primary Examiner.

WILLIAM FELDMAN, Examiner.

E. SIMONSEN, Assistant Examiner. 

